Display assembly and poster holder



April 2, 1963 u` s. HOWELL 3,083,489

DISPLAY LASSEMBLY AND POSTER HOLDER Filed June 27, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F/G./ 2 |7 28 2D 54 34 44 5o- 22 54 42 53 Evy f 44 24 w Jr 4 4 q 5/ ll 46 IN V EN TOR. HO WEL l..

R @6l/@496W ATTO/Jn@ April 2, 1963 D. s. HOWELL 3,083,489

DISPLAY ASSEMBLY AND POSTER HOLDER F/G. 8 F/G. 9

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United States Patent O ice 3,683,489 DSPLAY ASSEMBLY AND PS'IER HLDIER David S. Howell, Royal Oak, Mich., assigner to Arlington Aluminum Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed lune 27, 1960, Ser. No. 38,337 S Claims. (Cl, 4l) l52) This invention relates to display apparatus and, in particular, to display assemblies and poster holders used therein.

One object of this invention is to provide a poster holder in the form of a border frame which is capable of receiving and holding three-dimensional poster carriers to which the poster design is applied, such as those possessing portions in relief, yet in which the poster carrier is easily and quickly inserted and removed.

Another object is to provide a poster holder of the foregoing character wherein the three-dimensional poster carrier is capable of being inserted from the rear of the border frame without interfering with or incurring interference from the border frame.

Aro-ther object is to provide a poster holder of the foregoing character in which the border frame rails are relatively immovable 'and which is free from hinged border components, latches and other movable parts hitherto necessary for maintaining the poster in its proper position.

Another object is to provide a display assembly including a three-dimensional poster and a poster holder of the foregoing character in which the edge portions of the poster carrier are urged into Contact with the border frame and the relief portions project into or through the central opening in the border frame.

Another object is to provide a display assembly as set forth in the object immediately preceding wherein the edges of a backing plate or sheet of slightly greater width than the poster carrier are inserted in channels in the side rails of the border frame after the three-dimensional poster carrier of narrower width has been inserted therebetween f'or the purpose of firmly holding the three-dimensional poster carrier in its proper position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will becorne apparent during the course of the following description of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE l is a rearelevation of a poster holder adapted to hold three-dimensional posters, according to one form of the invention, with the poster carrier and backing plate omitted to disclose the construction more clearly;

FIGURE 2 is a central vertical section taken along the line 2 2 in FIGURE l, but with the poster carrier and backing plate inserted to form the display assembly;

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal section, looking upward along the line 3 3 in FIGURE l, but with the poster carrier and backing plate inserted to form the display assembly;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged crosssection through one of the side or bottom rails, taken along the line 4 4 in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary front elevation of the rail portion of FIGURE 4, looking in the direction of the line 5 5 therein;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the rail portion of FIGURES 4 and 5, looking in the direction of the line 6 5 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a vertical section through the top rail of the border frame, taken along the line 7 7 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary front elevation of the rail portion shown in FIGURE 7, looking in the direction of the line 8 8 in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the rail portion of FIGURE 7, looking in the direction of the line 9 9 therein;

3,083,489 Patented Apr. 2, 1963 FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevation of the central portion of the right-hand side rail of FIG- URE l, showing the pivotal mounting of one of the supporting legs thereon;

FIGURE l1 is a fragmentary right-hand side elevation of the side rail portion shown in FIGURE l0; and

FIGURE l2 is a fragmentary central vertical section similar to the lower end of FIGURE 2, but showing a modification of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIGURES l, 2 and 3 show a display assembly, generally designated 18, includ-ing a three-dimensional poster carrier P, poster-retaining backinvi sheet or plate 19 and a poster holder, generally designated 2n, according to one form of the invention. The poster holder 2li includes a border frame, generally designated 22, made up of side rails 24 and a bottorn rail 26 of similar construction forming three sides of the border frame 22, the fourth side thereof being closed by Va top rail 23 of slightly different construction. The rails 24, 26 and 23 are preferably of extruded aluminum and, as described below, may employ the same extrusion, which is `subjected to a subsequent cutting operation in order to convert a bottom or side rail 26 or 24 to a top rail 28. As also explained below, the top ra-il 2S is so constructed on order to permit insertion of the three-dimensional poster carrier to which the poster design is applied as by printing, painting, photography or other known means P. The poster carrier P is illustrated in simplified form as having a flat marginal portion M with edges E and a forwardly-projecting relief portion R joined to the marginal portion M by connecting portions C.

Each of the border rails 24, 26 or 28 has a main part 30 with a fluted front surface 32 for ornamental purposes, a plane rear surface 33, a reversely-turned outer edge flange 34 at the inner edge of the rim flange 36, and an inwardly-projecting flange 36 at the inner edge 4t). The flange 33 has an edge 39 l(FIGURE 4). The main part of body 3b is in the form of a relatively thin strip which is inclined inwardly from the rim 36 to the inner edge 4t) relatively to the plane of the marginal portion M of the poster P. Behind the poster carrier P is placed a relatively stiff backing card or plate i9 of sheet material. The inner edge flange 38 is disposed perpendicular to the plane of the marginal poster carrier portion M. An intermediate flange 42 also projecting inwardly parallel to the mner edge flange 38 is included in all the border rails 24, 26 and 28, and each likewise has an out/ardly-directed rib `44 spaced rearwardly a short distance away from the rear surface 33.

In addition, the side and bottom rails 24 and 26 possess an integral extension of the intermediate flange 42 consisting of an angle flange 46 having an inwardly-directed retaining or stop flange 48 disposed parallel to a reference or poster contact plane 49 passing through the edges 39 of the inner flanges 38, and -a connecting portion 50 forming the connection with the intermediate flange 42 and joining the edge flange 4S thereto.` The stop flange 48 has an edge 51 which is set back from the edge 39 of the flange 38 (FIGURE 4). The angle portion 46 is removed by a cutting operation from the extrusion forming the side or bottom rails 24 or 26 in order to form the top rail 2'8, as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 7, and establish a slot 53 between the rib 44 Iand the angle flanges 46 of the side rails 24 (FIGURE 2). By reason of this construction, the side and lbottom rails 24 and 26 are provided with channels 52 for receiving the edges E of the margin M of the poster carrier P, the channel 52 being absent from the top rail 2e. The poster carrier P has a wid-th narrower than the distance .between the edges 51 of the angle flanges 46 of the side rails 24 so as to slip between them, whereas -the railsl tobe fitted together Yto form a rectangular-fname, -where the rectangular .shape of 1border is desired, asis ordinarily the case. The thus obliquely-cut ends 54 are then united in any suitable manner, such .as by welding,

.thereby providing theopen-centered Iborder frame 22 shown. in-FIGURE l with the rectangular central opening '-55. .The connect-ing portions 50 ofthe opposite side r-ails 24 are drilled coaxially to receive pivot pins, rivets or other suitable headed fasteners156 (FIGURES 10 and ll) which, pass through the correspondingly-drilled upper ends of legs -58 and spacers 60. The spacers 60 also serve to provide a greater Vwall thickness and reinforcement for the connecting portions V50, to enhance durability. The-legs v58 are of such llengths that their lower ends 62 support lthe border frame 22 at a slight angle of inclination when the legs 58 are `swung rearwardly so that they :lie at an acute angle to the reference plane 49 (FIGURE 7).

In the use of the poster holder `20 to form the display assembly 18, since the poster carrier Pis ofless Width between its opposite side edges E than the dist-ance between the edges 51 of the angle flanges 46, itis inserted in a rearwardly-tilted position between the edges 51 with its lower edge E in the trough formed by the channel S2 of the bottom rail 26Y (FIGURE 2), so that its forwardlyprojecting relief portion clears the rearward rib 44 (FIG- URE 7) of the upper rail 28, whereupon the user then swings' theupper edge of the poster P forward, pivoting on its lower edge E in the channel 52 of the lower rail 26 while the forwardly-projecting relief portion R moves through the central opening 55 of theborder'frame 22.

The front surface of the margin portion4 M of the poster carrier P is now in engagement with the edge ,39 4of .the rearwardly-,projecting inner lianges 38 of the border rails 24, 26 and 2S (FIGURES 2 =and'3). Holding .theposter carrier ,P in this position, Vthe user now. inserts the lower edge of the backing plate 19 through the slot 53 behind the top rail 28 and slides it downward in the channel 52 of the side rails 24 behind the poster carrier P until its lower edge enters the lower channel 52 of the bottom rail `26. The poster carrier 'P is now held firmly in position and cannot be removed either accidentally or lintentionally as 'long as the backing plate 19 is in position.

To remove the poster carrier P from the poster holder V20 and thus disassemble the poster `assembly' 18, the user reverses the foregoing operationtby grasping the rupper edge portion of the backing ,plate 19 and removingl it by pulling it upward through the slot S3 (FIGURE 2). VHe then grasps the upper edge E of the poster carrier Pand swings it rearwardlyrlbetween the opposite edges 51 of the angle` anges 46 .of the s ide .rails 24, pivoting it .around the lower edge E of Athe.postercarrier P in the lower channel-52 Aofthe bottom rail 26. When he has tilted the poster carrier P rearwardly asuicientrdistance that the Aforwardly-projecting relief portionR passes through .the

ing members having inner edges directed toward said openopening-55m the border ltrarne22l andclears'the rib 44 .of

the upper rail28, hepulls upward on the poster carrierjP `andlthus removes -it from the poster h o1der20.

The poster holder 20 ofthe present invention has also ivbeen successfully used 'with a .translucent-or transparent -poster carrierP, .backed up by a light box (not shown) in yplace of the-backing plate or 'sheet 19. This arrangermentrformsanilluminated ldisplay assembly, which isalso intended tobe-includedwithinithe scope of the invention.

jThe-inventiomontemplates that the poster carrier P, vor,4 its relief `portion R and `connecting portion C may be secured.toa.permanent or rie-usable poster carrier plateM replacingv ythemargingal portion M and of the same rela- .,tive-d-imensions. and occupying the sameposition. Alfter use, the Vtemporary three-dimensional poster Vportion C, VR is stripped ott the carrier plate M and a new Vthreedimensional poster portion C, R substituted.

yupon a poster support in the storm of a ledge or intermediate ange .72-projecting rearwardlyfromthe bottom rail 74 of the border frame, generally designated .76. The side rails (not shown) corresponding to the side rails 24, also preferably include the ledge or ange 72, but it is re- Amoved from the top rail to permit insertion of the poster,

hence ,may also employ the same extrusion. Otherwise, the side rails are like the side and top rails 24 and 28 of the border -frarne22 of FIGURES'] to'll inclusive.

The operation of the modified display assembly 70 of FIGURE 12 is Vsubstantially the same as that described `above for the display Iassembly 1'8 of FIGURES 1 to ll inclusive, with the exception ofthe fact that fthe edge E of the poster C rests upon the ledge or iriange 72 and the ledge or flange 72 of 'each side rail likewise engages the edge Esas a stop VFlange to prevent itfrom sliding laterally. Accordingly, repetition of the operation appears unnecessary.

What I claim is:

1. A display assembly comprising a border frame having a top rail, a bottom rail and opposite side rails interconnecting said top and bottom rails, said-rails having inner edges bounding a central opening in said frame, lateral and lower retaining members mounted on the rearward sides of said side rails and bottom rail respectively in rearwardly-spaced relationship therewith, said lateral retaining members projecting inwardly and said lower retaining member projecting upwardly, said retaining, said laterally retaining members dening inwardlyfacing channels and said lower retaining member deiining an upwardly-facing channel in cooperation withsaid side rails and bottom rail respectively, a poster-retaining backing member having a width exceeding the distance between xsaid inner edges of said retaining members and having lateral edgeA portions extending into said channels in retained engagement thereby, and a three-dimensional poster carrier having lateral edge portions with a width therebetween less than the distance between said inner edges of said retaining members disposed between said backing member and rsaid border frame rails, said poster having a lower edge portion extending into said upwardly-facing channel, said .Poster having a threedimensional relief portion projecting forwardly from said edge portions at .least partway throughsaid opening.

2. A display assembly, according to claim 1, wherein said retaining members include angle anges having connecting portions secured to and extending rearwardly from said side rails, said angle anges having retaining portionssecured to and extending inwardlysubstantially perpendicular to said connecting portions.

3. A display assembly, according to claim 2, wherein said yangle tianges are integral with said side rails.

4. A display assembly, according to claim l, wherein said retaining membersinclude angle tianges having connecting portions secured to and extending rearwardly from said side and bottom rails and wherein said angle anges also have retaining portions secured to and extending inwardly substantially perpendicular to'said connecting portions. Y

5. A display assembly, Etcordingk to claim,4, wherein said iianges are integral with said side rails.

6. A display assembly, according vto claim `4, wherein said rails yhave outer v edges `spaced apart from xsaid inner edge terminating forwardly of the retaining portion of the angle ange of said bottom rail.

7. A display assembly, according to claim 1, wherein said rails have outer edges spaced apart from said inner edges and wherein a poster support is mounted on said bottom rail within the upwardly-facing channel intermediate the inner and outer edges thereof in supporting relationship with the lower marginal portion of said poster.

8. A display assembly, according to claim 7, wherein said poster support includes a ledge disposed within the upwardly-facing channel thereof and projecting rearwardly from said bottom rail beneath the marginal portion of said poster.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Seidel July 27, Stengel Oct. 25, Blumenthal Apr. 8, Cavalero Nov. 14, Brody Apr. 28, John Jan. 21,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain May 15, France July 28,

France May 23, 

1. A DISPLAY ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A BORDER FRAME HAVING A TOP RAIL, A BOTTOM RAIL AND OPPOSITE SIDE RAILS INTERCONNECTING SAID TOP AND BOTTOM RAILS, SAID RAILS HAVING INNER EDGES BOUNDING A CENTRAL OPENING IN SAID FRAME, LATERAL AND LOWER RETAINING MEMBERS MOUNTED ON THE REARWARD SIDES OF SAID SIDE RAILS AND BOTTOM RAIL RESPECTIVELY IN REARWARDLY-SPACED RELATIONSHIP THEREWITH, SAID LATERAL RETAINING MEMBERS PROJECTING INWARDLY AND SAID LOWER RETAINING MEMBER PROJECTING UPWARDLY, SAID RETAINING MEMBERS HAVING INNER EDGES DIRECTED TOWARD SAID OPENING, SAID LATERALLY RETAINING MEMBERS DEFINING INWARDLYFACING CHANNELS AND SAID LOWER RETAINING MEMBER DEFINING AN UPWARDLY-FACING CHANNEL IN COOPERATION WITH SAID SIDE RAILS AND BOTTOM RAIL RESPECTIVELY, A POSTER-RETAINING BACKING MEMBER HAVING A WIDTH EXCEEDING THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID INNER EDGES OF SAID RETAINING MEMBERS AND HAVING LATERAL EDGE PORTIONS EXTENDING INTO SAID CHANNELS IN RETAINED ENGAGEMENT THEREBY, AND A THREE-DIMENSIONAL POSTER CARRIER HAVING LATERAL EDGE PORTIONS WITH A WIDTH THEREBETWEEN LESS THAN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID INNER EDGES OF SAID RETAINING MEMBERS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID BACKING MEMBER AND SAID BORDER FRAME RAILS, SAID POSTER HAVING A LOWER EDGE PORTION EXTENDING INTO SAID UPWARDLY-FACING CHANNEL, SAID POSTER HAVING A THREEDIMENSIONAL RELIEF PORTION PROJECTING FORWARDLY FROM SAID EDGE PORTIONS AT LEAST PARTWAY THROUGH SAID OPENING. 